Pray without ceasing pray
(Your Captain gives the word),
His summons cheerfully obey,
And call upon the Lord;
To God your every want 
In instant prayer display;
Pray always; pray and never faint;
Pray, without ceasing pray.
Charles Wesley

Late last fall as part of an outreach program, I had the privilege to participate in ministry to a local inner-city boy’s home. These are boys without families who have been placed there because of abuse, neglect and other mental/social issues. The boys range from 7-17 years old and are in need of spiritual men to serve as positive role models. We mentored them through our passion for fishing.

At one of the gatherings in the group home we took a lunch break. As our group leader prepared to say grace, a small boy parted the group with his hand waving in the air saying, “Can I lead us in prayer?” I am here to tell you that you don’t know what prayer is until you hear one of these boys “lay down” a prayer. He proceeded to give all the praise to the one true father, God. He confessed for “messin’ up”; he expressed gratitude for a safe place to live; he asked for forgiveness for the family that gave him up and those that hurt him; and finally he petitioned for God to help the other boys to do well at the home and at school. If that wasn’t powerful enough, he then said a prayer for the group of volunteers who took the time to be there for him and the other boys that day. There were tears in grown men’s eyes because we were supposed to be there for them, but God had other plans for us that day. That moment in time crystalized my model for prayer through Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. 

Prayer is a privilege not to be taken lightly as we journey on our discipleship pathway. Five Marks of a Methodist by Stephen Harper is a great book about prayer.   Stephen writes that John Wesley pointed out one of those important marks, “A Methodist Prays Constantly.” Wesley called prayer one of the “means of grace.”  It is how we create and sustain our relationship with God. 

A rich prayer life may include journaling our deepest thoughts. One AUMCer shared that she was only able to maintain her faith despite exceedingly difficult life struggles by diligently, without ceasing, writing down her prayers to God. Reading them later revealed how her prayers had been heard. The Holy Spirit inspired power of the written word magnified in prayer. Have you ever written your prayers?

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NRSV)

I have heard it asked, “what use is prayer?” God already knows the outcome of everything since he is transcendent and omnipotent. Not true. God wants to listen to us pray. He wants to hear us speak and talk with Him. Throughout the old testament He spoke to His people and they did not always listen. But God spoke to those who did pray and listen. The great King David poured out his heart in prayer throughout the Book of Psalms. 

Give ear to my words, O Lord;give heed to my sighing. Listen to the sound of my cry,my King and my God,for to you I pray.  O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch.
Psalms 5:1-3 (NRSV)

Many of us are “doers” and it is evident that one of the hallmarks of an AUMCer is the missional mindset to serve others with our hands and feet. We are limited and hindered by this unprecedented pandemic of uncertainty, yet we still cling to being self-sufficient as we try to maintain control of our surroundings. Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5 (NRSV). We refuse to admit to ourselves that we can’t do it alone but our prayer life always reveals who we really believe is in control. 

One thing we most certainly can do is “pray without ceasing.” Admittedly, this is difficult at times since we may not know what to pray for. This week during a confirmation study with our young AUMCer’s we discussed opening our hearts and minds to listen for the nudging or urging of the Holy Spirit. To be cognizant of our surroundings and that faint whisper of direction or guidance. We spoke of praying for the presence of the Holy Spirit. Do you need to stop and listen for that faint whisper? 

One small group friend shared that prayer is part of his every day life but every once in while there is a call for “bending the knees.” Might we need to bend our knees?

Prayer offers a time to commune with God and for many it is private as it should be.

And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.  But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:5-6 (NSRV) 

Lest we judge the folks that are comfortable with praying out loud in a group or corporate worship setting. Some folks are gifted with the talent to lead corporate prayer. Some folks have the spiritual gifts to be “Prayer Warriors.” These folks pray on our behalf when we don’t even know it. Write my name down on that “prayer list.” I need some prayer!

We have the perfect role model for prayer. 

³⁶ Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.
³⁹ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.
Matthew 26:36 & 39 (NRSV)

Jesus spent much time teaching his disciples how to pray.  I like how Paul shares this in Hebrews.

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Hebrews 5:7 (NRSV)

Those two words, “reverent submission,” changed my prayer life forever. Jesus the Messiah was reverent and obedient on bended knee praying to the Father. The Son, the Great I am , the Redeemer, the Messiah, the one who paid it all for our sins and carried his own cross to Calvary for you and I, threw himself down on bended knee in “reverent submission” to the Father in unceasing prayer. Let that sink in your heart for a moment. When was the last time you were in reverent submission?

Here the good news. Take the time to read John 17. Jesus will reveal this magnificent example of prayer for all but, most importantly, for you. Over 2000 years ago the risen Christ knew each of us and prayed for us even before we knew Him.

I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word.
John 17:20 (NRSV)

I will say what you say, I will go where you go, I will pray what you pray… without ceasing!

Peace be with you,
Kenny Shortsleeve, Lay Leader